Visiting Petra : One of the World's 7 Wonders

Petra, also known as the Rose City, is a city perfectly carved into the mountains of Ma’an, Jordan. Only introduced to the western world in 1812, Petra has steadily gained popularity as a major tourist destination, even more when it was declared as one of the 7 Wonders of the World.

But, what makes Petra so special? From pictures circulating the web, it’s easy to grasp the marvelous architecture, especially since the city was carved from the side of a mountain. However, architecture alone is not the reason why it was listed as one of the world’s wonders. There are so many other factors involved that can’t be seen through a photograph. You’ll need to visit the city in order to fully grasp its magnificence and discover why it is so revered.

History

Petra has such a rich history that it would take a book to detail the events. Nevertheless, Petra was an ancient Nabataean city during 6th century BC. The city was famous due to their ability to control the water supply in the area through a series of dams and waterways.

Unfortunately, a series of events brought down the city. An earthquake destroyed many of the buildings and water management systems. After that, Saladin conquered the Middle East and this was the final straw. The city was abandoned and almost forgotten.

It wasn’t until 1812 when Petra was rediscovered and introduced to the western world by a Swiss explorer. Since then, it has been a destination of archeologists, film makers, and tourists.

What to See

From a distance, it’s difficult to actually pinpoint the city, which was actually one of its defenses. Since the city was carved from the mountains, everything was in the same color. If you were looking for the city from a distance, it would be difficult to distinguish the buildings from the mountain. The main entrance to the city is also well hidden. The entrance is known as the Siq, which is a 2km long canyon, 3 to 4 meters wide in some places. The Siq itself presents is somewhat interesting, but what will really amaze you is what you’ll see once you exit the canyon.

What will greet you is known as the Treasury. The most notable part is the urn, which is rumored to hold treasures of the Pharaoh. Going past the Treasury will introduce you to the outer Siq, the Roman Theater, and the Monastery.

To truly experience Petra, you’ll need to also experience it at night. It’s just a simple event, nothing fancy, but it is a part of the whole experience. You will also need to visit the High Place of Sacrifice, which will give you a magnificent top view of the Petra. Another interesting place to visit is the Mountain of Aaron where there’s a church and the tomb of Aaron. All of this will take about half a day of walking, so you’ll really need to be physically fit.

What to Expect

Despite the popularity of Petra as a major tourist destination, there aren’t many facilities for tourists. There is only one restaurant servicing the area, which is why you’ll need to expect steep prices. If you’re visiting during the hot summer months, you can expect to need plenty of water. There are small stores scattered around the area where you can buy cold water and other refreshments, but make sure you bring water along during the walk.

Getting There

The town of Petra is located in Ma’an and can be reached from almost anywhere in Jordan. In fact, historically, Petra was a main trading route to and from almost any region in the Middle East. Today, it is one of Jordan’s most prized possessions, thus it is understandable that routes from the major cities have been established.

The most common modes of transportation to Petra are buses and taxis. Tour operators also provide air conditioned buses. Once in the town of Petra, you’ll be able to reach the site by walking or on a camel, horse, or donkey. Those are your only choices since vehicles are not allowed on the premises.

Like any major tourist destination, many of the locals will be looking for a quick buck and may charge you steep prices for a horse ride. The ride is supposedly free, but “tipping” has become a requirement and the tip can be a bit expensive. Try to negotiate for a lower tip if you’re travelling on a budget. If you’re physically fit, you might be better off just walking, as the horse ride won’t take you there sooner.

Photos of Petra